From 7 to 9 October 2025, YERUN Leaders, YERUN Coordinators and the YERUN Brussels Office will come together in Nicosia for the Autumn YERUN General Assembly, kindly hosted by the University of Cyprus (UCY).

Over the course of three days, participants will explore the UCY campus, engage in high-level policy discussions and discover the vibrant history and culture of both Nicosia and Limassol. The programme will centre on the next ERA Act, Academic Freedom and the forthcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, while also dedicating time to essential internal discussions, contributing especially to the creation of the YERUN’s future strategy.

The meeting will open with a warm welcome from the University of Cyprus, offering a first-hand perspective on how research policy supports excellence at UCY. After the opening session, participants will visit the UCY campus and enjoy a guided tour of Nicosia.

The second day will begin with an update on key EU policy developments before moving into parallel workshops. YERUN Leaders will engage with representatives from the European Commission and the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Science in an in-depth exchange on the ERA Act, ts purpose, progress and implications, while also exploring European and national perspectives on Academic Freedom. They will look ahead to the Cyprus EU Presidency, with particular attention to the progress on the Multiannual Financial Framework and preparations for the future FP10. YERUN Coordinators will work in parallel sessions to advance the YERUN working methods, linked to the new YERUN Strategy 2026-2030. In the afternoon, the programme will extend beyond the capital with a visit to Limassol, where a guided tour will provide further insight into Cyprus’s rich cultural context.

The final day will be dedicated to the General Assembly meeting itself. Participants will review progress made under the YERUN Strategy 2021–2025 and discuss the new Strategy 2026–2030 while also addressing other matters of strategic importance, ensuring continuity and ambition in the network’s work.

Reflecting YERUN’s belief that a university is deeply connected to its social and cultural environment, the programme mixes policy discussion, strategic decision making and cultural discovery.

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The Republic of Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism sponsors the YERUN General Assembly.